South of Scotland MSP Emma Harper has welcomed Scottish Government plans announced today (Tuesday) to stabilise Scottish farm payments.
The Cabinet Secretary for the Rural Economy and Connectivity announced the plan – based around 5 key aims – to deliver payments in full and on time.
Addressing the chamber on Tuesday, Cabinet Secretary Fergus Ewing said:
“With the closure of the CAP Pillar 1 payment window in June, the Scottish Government has captured lessons from a rapid review of delivery. These compliment findings from Audit Scotland reports in 2016 and 2017.
“I am therefore today publishing a Common Agricultural Policy – Plan for Stabilisation.
“I have listened to what farming businesses, crofters, and national bodies have said; and what I have been told is that people want a system that provides certainty.
“That is why I am implementing a Basic Payment Scheme (BPS) loan Scheme this year – and pre-announcing a possible loans scheme for the Less Favoured Area Support Scheme (LFASS), next year.
“All the while I am making tough decisions to ensure the underlying CAP payment systems are stabilising and improving so one day we will not need loans at all.
“Above all, this plan puts the customer first and prepares us for the uncertain world ahead.”
The Plan provides clarity and certainty for farming businesses by publishing a schedule of key dates.
A new loan scheme for eligible BPS customers who applied this year, will also be available to provide 90% of estimated entitlement. The overwhelming majority of farmers will be able to access almost all of their funding from November.
The Scottish Government also committed to starting payments to LFASS Customers in May 2018.
South of Scotland MSP, and aide to the Cabinet Secretary, Emma Harper said
“There has been good progress in delivering Farm Payments but challenges remain. I have spent the summer speaking with farmers and listening to their concerns. I frequently pass feedback onto the Cabinet Secretary and it is evident in his approach that he is listening.
“I am delighted to hear that the majority farmers in my area should be expecting to access almost all of their funding from November, bringing some stability to what is an uncertain future.
“Speaking in the chamber this afternoon, the Cabinet Secretary told me that the ambiguity around Brexit, and the potential threat that this poses to Scotland’s farmers and rural communities, has helped to prompt this action from the Scottish Government.
“These plans will provide a degree of clarity which is required just 18 months from the proposed Brexit date.
“In that respect the Scottish Government’s response stands in stark contrast to that of the UK Government – who continue to fail to provide any commitments or clarity regarding what support will be available to farmers post 2019.”
Ms Harper added:
“I am also very pleased that the Cabinet Secretary has decided not to make online applications mandatory – and instead provide customers with support through area offices and one to one assistance.
“Dyslexia is relatively common amongst farmers for a variety of reasons – and the online application system has been an unnecessary barrier to them in the past.
